Will Microsoft give free upgrade?

We have our dear friend Mayank wishing Microsoft would give free upgrade to Windows 7 for those who have Windows Vista legal copy.

If they really do (which would be a surprises), it would affect me. Because my laptop came bundled with Windows Vista, and I still keep it up to date as any user should even though I live full time on my Ubuntu boot. I have now come to a point where I really do not care what happens there, but such posts as Mayank's does give me a chuckle.

Yes, I just upgraded to Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex. And I have to say, I am quite thrilled with it, but that might be due to my thrill with the new features that came with GIMP 2.6 (see the first artwork I did with that version - Too Old For Halloween?). But it is not just me, Thilak too chimes in with his 'stunned note' on Ubuntu.

On a serious note, to go without linking anywhere else, this is exactly the point I see as a major advantage with Open Source. With proprieatary software, there is vendor lock in. The quality of solution commercial software provides, has very less of a impact on your decision to go for a version or not. It is either their way or you an take the highway.

Microsoft, even after accepting that Windows Vista is a failure (I do not have reference for this - I am going by what Mayank said), can still choose to not provide a free or even discounted upgrade to Windows 7. They would not be restricted by any legal liability.